South Africa has introduced two new legislations for Indians. First is the in-person biometric visa application that will make it difficult for tourists in remote parts of India to get one. The other is the unabridged birth certificate with those traveling with children under 18. This will greatly deter families that form a big chunk of tourists traveling to South Africa.
The new documentation requirements are effective June 1, 2015. Detailed information on the specific documents that are required are listed on the South African Airways website. Travelers who arrive in South Africa without the required documentation can be detained and/or deported immediately.
About this, Thulani Nzima, CEO, South Africa Tourism, said, “Sometimes, the tourism board and the Home Affairs are not on the same page. Home Affairs is concerned about the security of the state and protection of children. Our job is to market South Africa as a leisure and business destination. So when they introduced new rules that include these two specifications among others, it became a problem for us. However, the president has asked for a review of these Home Affairs regulations. It’s not a legislation that we in the tourism environment welcome. We are not happy with that. In fact, one of the things our tourism minister will question is whether there is a need between South Africa and India to have visas at all, or perhaps visa on arrival.” He agreed that there might be a temporary dip in arrivals because of this.
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